Having led the Premier League in the early months of the season, the Blues fell away dramatically due to a combination of poor form, injuries and Covid-19 cases. 2023 Minute Media - All rights reserved. Just when Silva came on, Chelsea looked like a new team altogether, keeping the ball more carefully, keeping the game flowing and dealing with the attacking threat of the Hornets. Greaves: I was relieved to lose after 70-match win streak! Mount started in an entirely fresh front line alongside Havertz and Pulisic, with Ziyech, Werner and Hudson-Odoi all dropping to the bench. The youngster was solid in defense and looked confident throughout the hour he spent on the pitch. Needed Mendy to save him when Cleverley burst clear. Jorginho and James fit but Chalobah joins injured list, Tuchel says he considered moving Saul to wing-back. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images), LONDON, ENGLAND MAY 22: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea playing his last game for the club with team-mate Reece James after he is subbed during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 22, 2022 in London, England. He was replaced by Lukaku with about 20 minutes to go in the second half as Chelsea looked to attack. A phenomenal assist for Chelseas opener and started a lot of attacks from central midfield. Worked hard down the flank and used his physicality so well. While a decision over his future is far from settled, there would be nothing wrong if Cesar Azpilicueta decides to ultimately depart the club after nine years of faithful service and winning every possible trophy in a royal blue shirt. Free match highlights and report as Mason Mount scores and assists Hakim Ziyech to keep Chelsea top of Premier League; play was halted for 30 minutes due to medical emergency; Watford confirm fan is stable after cardiac arrest; Chelsea made six changes at Vicarage Road, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Chelsea, Player Ratings: Not even angry anymore Community player ratings from another defeat Thiago Silva suffers knee ligament injury, not coming back anytime soon Scans not . However, Barkley gave Chelsea the edge with one of his own in stoppage time. The second half sparked into life very late with a Dan Goslings diving header almost snatching a point for Watford in the 86. Good movement up front and then provided the cross for Ziyechs goal. Watford were ultimately left empty handed after a closely-fought midweek battle with Chelsea, as the European champions edged to a 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road. Tottenham claimed their first Premier League win against Chelsea for the first time since November 2018 with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. He had a few shaky and questionable moments with the ball at his feet, but without Mendy in goal, Chelsea might have lost the game. No time like the right now to begin next years campaign then! Tried to wake his teammates up after such a sluggish start. Watford have lost five of their seven Premier League games under Claudio Ranieri (W2), conceding 16 goals in total - an average of 2.3 per game. Mason Mount put on his finest Versace suit to join Chelseas Ballon dOr watch party at the start of the week. Chelsea made it five successive away Premier League victories as they came away from Vicarage Road with a 2-1 victory on Saturday evening. Jorginho 8 Some smart play in dropping back to centre-back when Zouma and/or Tomori went forward. No chance for Ziyech's goal.Kiko Femenia (RB) - 6/10 - Defensively sound, although probably didn't get forward as much as he'd have liked.Craig Cathcart (CB) - 7/10 - So watchful at the back, keeping Havertz shackled for the most part.William Troost-Ekong (CB) - 6/10 - Booked for a very heavy foul on Mount. Subs: Rose (6), Kucka (NA), Ngakia (NA) GK: Bernd Leno - 6/10 - Didn't have a lot of saves to make and got away with recklessly rushing out of his goal when Fofana was running through. However, Antonio Rudiger was as dependable as ever at the left centerback position and richly deserved his plaudits as he left the field for the last time at Stamford Bridge. 7 Kurt Zouma A really solid first half, making a couple of excellent tackles and looking pretty assured during the opening 45 minutes. Good save to tip Barkley's rocket over. CM: Harrison Reed - 8/10 - Frustrated Chelsea at every turn. Didnt catch the eye early on as he led the line, but was as composed as ever when cutting the ball back for Mounts opener. . In the second half he was very impressive, with good strength and pace, while being calm on the ball when he needed. In front of the midfield, Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison played on the wings, hugging their respective touchlines. Chelsea's fifth straight Premier League away win kept them one point clear at the top. Offered a more physical presence up front for the final 20 minutes, but didnt get much more than half a sight at goal. If that should happen, it may be the best decision for both parties involved, with the club captain again having a couple of sloppy and nervy half moments that are slowly but surely creeping into his game on a more regular basis. 12. Ghosted into the box and blasted the ball into the roof of net to fire Chelsea ahead. Got a hand to the winner. GK: Daniel Bachmann - 5/10 - Made himself big to deny Havertz early on - but the forward beat him soon afterwards. It was far from a straightforward match for the Premier League leaders as the Hornets continually troubled. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was dispossessed in the middle of the park by Moussa Sissoko, who drove forward and fed Emmanuel Dennis, whose shot squeezed through Antonio Rudiger's legs and into the bottom corner. Featured for the final 30 minutes and scored the winner, sweeping home Mounts clever cross. Could do nothing about Watfords equaliser, which deflected off Antonio Rudiger into his net. We tried to give easy messages, because it was obvious we struggled. Hakim Ziyechs second-half strike helped Chelsea secure a narrow 2-1 win over Watford in their Premier League clash on Wednesday. Here are EPL Matters' player ratings from Watford 1-2 Chelsea: Kepa 7 - The goalkeeper had very little to do in the opening 80 minutes but made a key save in stoppage time to deny the opposition goalkeeper from scoring. Community player ratings from Chelseas midweek win, plus the previous two games as well. Another Saturday, another chance to win 250,000 with Super 6. But it was fellow sub Ziyech who put them ahead against the run of play, finishing high into the net from 12 yards from Mount's cut back from the left flank. Ziyech put in an entertaining 30-minute second-half cameo, scoring the match-winner and even finding time to pick up a booking. Graham Potter - 5/10 - Rewarded for his faith in Fernandez. Hakim Ziyech's winner kept Chelsea top of the Premier League. Lacked the quality to break Fulham's excellent shape. Marco Silva - 8/10 - Trusted his starters on the whole but made chances to freshen things up at the right times. Antonio Rudigers long pass started the move which resulted in the opening goal, but other than that, Dennis was a pain for the defender throughout the game. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Thiago Silva bailed Cesar Azpilicueta out on the hour mark when the Spaniard played a no-look back-pass that was headed for the bottom corner, stepping in to cut it out just in time. Mason Mount put Chelsea ahead before Emmanuel Dennis levelled the score, only for Ziyech to come off the bench to seal the points. The league leaders managed to preserve this lead under considerable pressure from the hosts, coming away with three valuable points. Play for free, entries by 3pm. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. 2018 West London Media Ltd. All rights reserved. We had the chance to speak about it in the break, and then we had the chance to speak about it in half-time. Watford 1-2 Chelsea, Player Ratings: Mason Mount head start on next year's Ballon d'Or campaign Community player ratings from Chelsea's midweek win, plus the previous two games as well By. Also delivered a number of dangerous crosses and was solid in defence as he looked to show boss Thomas Tuchel he can fill the gap Ben Chilwell has left. ANTONIO RDIGER (7.1)3. This was a tough night for all of Chelseas defenders him included. In other news, the Roman Abramovich era is slowly nearing its end as Todd Boehly was there to witness the win. Subs: Silva (7), Ziyech (7), Lukaku (5) However, the match was halted in the 11th minute when it became clear a medical emergency was unfolding in the stands. Watford (35) 13 Goals 52 (69) (21) 14 Assists 32 (46) (6.5) 6.6 Average Ratings 7 (6.7) 32.5 Average Age 28.4 185.8 Average Height (cm) 182.8 (0.8) 0.7 Shots pg 1.4 (1.2) (50%) 58% Aerial. leedslive Load mobile navigation. Mount did extremely well to reach the byline, before cutting it back for substitute Hakim Ziyech to fire into the roof of the net. Speaking of the Ballon dOr, that useless award doubled down on their oversight by naming Gianluigi Donnarumma the best goalkeeper in the world, and voting him into the top ten of the main award as well. Kai Havertz netted home a well-taken cross from the lesser spotted Kenedy in the 11 to set the Pensioners on their way. The only time he had to get out of second gear was to prevent a calamitous own goal from his skippersimply impressive. Also provided the assist for Ziyechs winner, teeing up his teammate to smash home. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. The Danes position shifted more towards the right flank when Tuchel changed his tactics in the second half, but he was comfortable. Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-1 Watford | Premier League Joel Middleton May 22, 2022 12:59 PM EDT Chelsea signed off their Premier League season by sealing a 2-1 win with Watford at. Thats another game to forget for the Spain international. Chelsea took the lead just before the half-hour mark as two of their six changes combined, Mason Mount converting at close range from an unselfish assist by Kai Havertz. Hakim Ziyechs perfect through ball split the Fulham defence, but as Havertz tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Leno, it dropped onto the post and out rather than into the net. We did not cope well with the first balls, the pressure, the second balls. It might have been that finishing 11th with Watford in 2019 mattered more to Gracia but the FA Cup, as he said, is where everyone can live a little. MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND LEAGUE TABLE. "It's one thing to win or lose challenges, but we did not even find them. Wonderful assist for Ziyech to make it 2-1.Kai Havertz (CF) - 7/10 - Some nice touches and a neat assist for Mount - although he could have shot himself. "We played very, very well. Very unselfish when setting up Mount for Chelseas opener. Came on at half-time to steady Chelseas defence, which had been rocked by a goal minutes before the break. As far as getting the job done is concerned, O Monstro does it easily without even breaking a sweat. The Senegalese international made six total saves in his eye-catching performance. We must continue in this way. Aside from one chance that was flagged offside anyway, Chelsea didnt really have a clear sight of goal until half an hour in. Edouard Mendy (GK) - 8/10 - Made an excellent save five minutes in after Azpilicueta inadvertently diverted a cross towards his own goal. It barely worked as Watford created a fine chance to take the lead - Pedro played in Tom Cleverley, Mendy boldly raced outside his box, but was able to block without using his hands - prompting Tuchel to attempt to swing things again with an attacking sub, bringing on Romelu Lukaku for Cesar Azpilicueta with 20 minutes left. Also had the ball in the net moments after assisting, but was flagged offside after Pulisic delayed the pass. CB: Benoit Badiashile - 7/10 - Had a decent game given the threat of Mitrovic. Callum Hudson-Odoi (8 mins) N/A Late substitute for Pulisic to offer fresh legs and pace on the counter-attack. LB: Marc Cucurella - 6/10 - Never in real trouble defensively but minimal attacking impact. Two lovely through balls for Havertz but the German couldn't capitalise.ST: Kai Havertz - 7/10 - Started brightly and couldn't miss from Kenedy's cross. MX23RW : Saturday, February 25 02:20:46| >> :300:86500:86500: . News. A disjointed Chelsea side secured a hard-fought victory over Watford at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night, in a match that was suspended for 35 minutes after a supporter suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands. 13. Brilliant tackle and assist for the leveller.Tom Cleverley (CM) - 6/10 - Less influential than his central colleagues, but did the dirty work reasonably well. Not helped by his midfield partner in the first-half. For more fromKrishan Davis, follow him onTwitter! A big high claim in stoppage time was vital. Especially the ball that came out to block Tom Cleverley in a single stroke in the second half. The former Bayer Leverkusen star would go on to miss several chances before the halftime whistle brought the first period to a close. Mason Mount then spurned a free header, sending the ball bouncing wide at the back post. A daily roundup of Chelsea news from We Ain't Got No History, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Watford 1-2 Chelsea, Player Ratings: Mason Mount head start on next years Ballon dOr campaign, Arteta: At the end you have to win football matches otherwise it is unsustainable, Manchester City keeping tabs on Kovai contract situation at Chelsea report, Thiago Silva suffers knee ligament injury, not coming back anytime soon, Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Chelsea, Player Ratings: Not even angry anymore, Community player ratings from another defeat, Sign up for the By Ollie Browning 01/12/2021. 26 February 2023 03:35. Crucial block denied Tom Cleverley when the Watford midfielder ran clear on goal. There was no 'end of season' mentality on display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday though, with the hosts displaying the kind of intensity that has been sorely lacking at times this campaign. Lukaku played the final 20 minutes and barely featured as most of the action came at the other end of the pitch. James And Koulibaly Get 6.5 | Chelsea Players Rated In Poor Loss Vs Tottenham Hotspur. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Chelsea capitalised, snatching the lead with just over 15 minutes remaining. Andreas Christensen was finally restored to the starting XI after an off-the-field contractual situation saw Tuchel drop him for the past few games. Watford continued where they left off, but almost went behind against the run of play as Mason Mount thumped the outside of the post. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Redknapp: Liverpool must win next two home games to finish in top four, Merson Says: Trossard as false nine didn't work | Nketiah should start, Foden: I'm 100 per cent now after 'one of worst parts of my career', Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal with team-mates, Watford's Moussa Sissoko points referee David Coote towards a medical emergency in the stands at Vicarage Road, Marcos Alonso points a member of backroom staff toward the site of a medical emergency in the crowd, Emmanuel Dennis celebrates after scoring Watford's equalsier, Saul Niguez has been brought off at half-time in both of his Premier League starts for Chelsea, Watford later confirmed a fan was stable after suffering a cardiac arrest, Fan 'stable' after cardiac arrest at Watford. After Antonio Rudiger had gone off to a standing ovation on his farewell performance, substitute Ross Barkley woke everyone up with a rasping drive that was tipped over by Bachmann, with both sides seemingly going through the motions as the season ebbed away. Hes played a ton of minutes recently, which is a bit of a growing concern however. Join theThe Pride Of London team! THIAGO SILVA (7.6)2. Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who got a touch to the shot, could have done better. With about 13 minutes played, a medical emergency in the crowd forced a 30-minute stoppage during which both teams went off the pitch. Kurt Zouma 8 The Chelsea centre-backs didnt allow Andre Gray anything today. Touch let him down on two occasions early in the second half when he could and should have at least worked the goalkeeper. It was not pretty from Chelsea - and they didn't escape unscathed as Chalobah was brought off with a worrying-looking injury - but if Sunday's draw against Man Utd was a case of two points dropped, this was a case of two fortuitously gained. Chelsea felt aggrieved just before the break as William Troost-Ekong piled in on Mount, but was only booked by Coote, before Thiago Silva replaced Saul in an attempt to shore things up for Chelsea at half-time. Gambling problem? A much-changed Chelsea weathered the storm to navigate their way past a tricky Watford side and stay top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road. Emmanuel Dennis (RW) - 8/10 - Bang in form. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nearly gifted Josh King an early goal when he tried and failed to beat the forward with a body swerve, turning into trouble before clearing the ball.